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    Home » Simple Vegan Recipes

    Decadent Vegan Hot Chocolate

    Published: Jan 6, 2023 · Modified: Jun 4, 2023 by Becky Striepe · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Recipe Video Print
    vegan hot chocolate in a mug with a cinnamon stick, marshmallows, and chocolate syrup, text overlay
    vegan hot chocolate in a mug with a cinnamon stick, marshmallows, and chocolate syrup
    vegan hot chocolate in mugs with a cinnamon stick, marshmallows, and chocolate syrup

    This super easy vegan hot chocolate recipe is rich and creamy with hints of cinnamon and vanilla.

    vegan hot chocolate in mugs with a cinnamon stick, marshmallows, and chocolate syrup

    I've been tinkering with my vegan hot chocolate recipe, because winter is coming, and that means alllll of the hot drinks! Bring on the cocoa, y'all!

    Jump to:
    • Can vegans eat chocolate?
    • Making vegan hot chocolate
    • About the coconut milk
    • More cozy, hot drinks
    • 📖 Recipe

    More Hot Drinks: mocha maca latte, vegan eggnog

    Can vegans eat chocolate?

    A lot of folks are surprised to learn that vegans can even eat chocolate. While a lot of commercial chocolate -- read: Hershey's -- is not vegan, good quality dark chocolate usually is.

    vegan chocolate in a measuring cup

    Chocolate comes from the cocoa plant, and your basic dark chocolate only has three ingredients:

    • cocoa powder - solids from the cocoa plant
    • cocoa butter - fat from the cocoa plant
    • sugar

    Commercial brands add milk and butterfat to their chocolate to make up for the fact that their product contains so little (or no!) actual chocolate. Cocoa butter is more expensive than butterfat or milk fat, so they use these cheap, animal-based fillers instead of the real deal.

    Making vegan hot chocolate

    When it comes to hot cocoa, though, that whole argument is kind of moot. You're just using the cocoa powder with no added ingredients.

    image collage showing making the cocoa-water pasta and serving the finished cocoa into mugs

    To make a hot cocoa recipe vegan, all you need to do is substitute non-dairy milk for the cow's milk, and you're good to go. The trick is mimicking the creaminess of dairy-based cocoa, because usually those recipes use heavy cream and whole milk.

    For really decadent, rich, creamy hot cocoa, you need some extra fat, and that's where I have a favorite trick: light coconut milk!

    Start by mixing the cocoa powder with just enough of the coconut milk to form a thick paste. This will help the powder dissolve.

    Once you have that paste, add the rest of the ingredients, whisk, and heat. Then it's time to sip!

    vegan hot chocolate in a mug with a cinnamon stick, marshmallows, and chocolate syrup

    About the coconut milk

    I first made this recipe with all full fat coconut milk, but the coconut flavor was too strong for my taste. This updated vegan hot cocoa recipe uses light coconut milk plus soy or oat milk for a better balance of fat and flavor.

    There is still a mild coconut taste, so if coconut isn't your thing, I'd suggest using all soy or oat milk. The cocoa won't be as rich, but it won't taste of coconut. You can also use 1 ¾ cups of vegan creamer in place of the coconut milk, if that's your speed.

    More cozy, hot drinks

    • mug of tomato tea on a wooden countertop with ginger, garlic, lemon, and hot sauce around it
      Soothing Tomato Tea for Cold and Flu
    • glass of dairy-free eggnog with a cinnamon stick in it
      15 Minute Vegan Eggnog Recipe
    • hand holding a mug of maca latte
      Ginger chocolate maca latte (maca hot chocolate!)

    📖 Recipe

    vegan hot chocolate in mugs with a cinnamon stick, marshmallows, and chocolate syrup

    Vegan Hot Chocolate Recipe

    This super easy vegan hot chocolate recipe is rich and creamy with hints of cinnamon and vanilla.
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert, Drinks
    Cuisine: Vegan
    Keyword: vegan hot chocolate, vegan hot cocoa
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 209kcal
    Author: Becky Striepe

    Ingredients

    • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
    • 1 15 ounce can light coconut milk
    • ¼ cup organic sugar - or equivalent amount of your favorite powdered sweetener
    • 2 cups soy or oat milk
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

    Instructions

    • In a sauce pot, whisk the cocoa powder and ¼ cup of the coconut milk together until it forms a paste
    • Add the rest of the ingredients (including the remaining coconut milk), except the booze.
    • Heat on medium-low, whisking constantly, until the cocoa powder mixture is totally dissolved and the cocoa is heated through.
    • Serve immediately. If you're not planning to serve all of the cocoa right away, turn off the heat, and just turn the stove on to heat it back up when you're ready to ladle out a mug or two.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Vegan Hot Chocolate Recipe
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    209
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    10
    g
    15
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    8
    g
    40
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Sodium
     
    149
    mg
    6
    %
    Potassium
     
    253
    mg
    7
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    24
    g
    8
    %
    Fiber
     
    3
    g
    12
    %
    Sugar
     
    16
    g
    18
    %
    Protein
     
    5
    g
    10
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    465
    IU
    9
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    9
    mg
    11
    %
    Calcium
     
    177
    mg
    18
    %
    Iron
     
    1
    mg
    6
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe? Share your photo!Mention @GlueAndGlitter on Instagram or Twitter!

    About Becky Striepe

    Headshot of Becky Striepe in front of a teal wall

    Hi there! I'm Becky Striepe (rhymes with sleepy), and I love using gadgets and shortcuts to create easy vegan comfort food recipes for busy people. Whether you love your Instant Pot, your air fryer, or just love delicious plant-based meals, stick around. You'll like it here.

    Learn more about me >>>

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Aimee McCrady

      January 08, 2020 at 9:11 pm

      I added Chambord, and it's delicious!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        January 09, 2020 at 10:23 am

        Oh my gosh, raspberry cocoa is such a great idea!

        Reply
    2. Ginger Wroot

      December 08, 2015 at 11:09 am

      Wow, this looks like a lovely and tasty holiday "cocktail"...can't wait to try it! Thanks for sharing a great idea for these cold months!

      Reply
    3. Tanya

      November 14, 2015 at 3:30 pm

      We are sailing down the Intracoastal Waterway in NC drinking this amazing hot cocoa. Thank you for posting it!!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        November 14, 2015 at 4:40 pm

        That sounds delightful. Cheers, Tanya!

        Reply
    4. Melissa K..

      November 13, 2015 at 2:30 pm

      Have you ever tried homemade cashew milk? I buy organic cashews, soak, and blend. It can be thick, like cream, or thinner like milk depending on the ratio of nuts to water. In a Vitamix, I don't even strain it. It is my milk of choice, and I intend to try it with this cocoa recipe! The perfect creamy mouthfeel and very mild taste are the best!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        November 13, 2015 at 3:02 pm

        I have! Love cashew milk. It's so creamy. Cashew cream might work well, but I wonder whether it would separate. Let me know how you like it with cashew milk- that sounds amazing!

        Reply
    5. Andrea

      December 12, 2012 at 1:42 pm

      I make hot chocolate with almond milk, but I've never tried it with coconut milk — that must be so delicious! I like my chocolate to be as dark as possible. I never liked chocolate until I discovered bittersweet.

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        December 12, 2012 at 2:34 pm

        It definitely adds a lot of richness. I hope you enjoy it!

        Reply
    6. Jes

      December 12, 2012 at 1:16 pm

      Hot cocoa is such a must for me! Love the little bit of cinnamon in your recipe--I'm going to have to try that soon as I normally go spiceless.

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        December 12, 2012 at 1:37 pm

        I kind of want to experiment with adding a little cayenne, too, to make a full-on Mexican hot chocolate! Since this batch was for company, I stayed on the safe side, but if it goes well, I'll share that recipe, too!

        Reply
    7. Cadry's Kitchen

      December 12, 2012 at 11:11 am

      Like you said, I've found that with good quality dark chocolate, I'm satisfied with just a square or two because the flavor is so bold. Before I went vegan, I thought dark chocolate was bitter, but now I love the deep richness of taste.

      Your hot cocoa sounds amazing! Definitely the perfect winter indulgence!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        December 12, 2012 at 11:47 am

        Isn't it weird how your palate changes? Mine has changed a lot too since going vegan! And thank you! I can't wait to make more!

        Reply
    8. An Unrefined Vegan

      December 12, 2012 at 10:45 am

      Oh yum! I also treat myself often to homemade hot chocolate, though have never made it with coconut milk. That has GOT to be good!

      Becky, I've passed along a Healthy Fun Food Blogger award to you: https://anunrefinedvegan.com/2012/12/12/gettinggiving/ No obligation, just wanted to say that I enjoy what you do!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        December 12, 2012 at 11:43 am

        Thank you so much! I am so touched!

        Reply

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    About Me

    photo of Becky Striepe
    Hi! My name is Becky Striepe (rhymes with “sleepy”). I love using gadgets and shortcuts to create easy vegan comfort food recipes for busy people. Whether you love your Instant Pot, your air fryer, or just love delicious plant-based meals, stick around. You'll like it here. → READ MORE

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